Bungay Medical Centre Charitable Trust / Scott Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,533,945 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications assessed on individual basis
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (typically one-time grants)
• Geographic Focus: Bungay, North Suffolk, and South Norfolk

Contact Details

Address: c/o Bungay Medical Centre, St John's Road, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1HT

Key Contacts:

• Sue Herring at Bungay Medical Centre
• Christopher Hand (Trustee Chair)

Website: bungaymcct.org.uk (Note: Website may have SSL certificate issues)

Charity Number: 1079173

Overview

The Bungay Medical Centre Charitable Trust / Scott Charity was formed in 2007 through the merger of the Bungay Medical Centre Charitable Trust and the Scott Charity. With annual expenditure of over £1.5 million (2024), the trust provides relief in sickness for people living in Bungay and patients of Bungay Medical Practice who reside in North Suffolk and South Norfolk. The charity operates through grant-making to both individuals and organisations, as well as providing buildings, facilities, and open spaces. The trust focuses specifically on healthcare-related needs, including medical equipment, mobility aids, and support for healthcare providers serving the practice area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants: Up to £5,000

• Medical equipment (stair lifts, specialist beds, lifting equipment)
• Mobility aids
• Travel and accommodation for hospital visits across the country
• Applications for health care or illness-related issues
• Typically one-time grants only

Organisational Grants: Up to £5,000

• Healthcare providers serving the Bungay Medical Practice area
• Patient transport services for those attending the practice or local hospitals
• Capital equipment for healthcare facilities
• Applications assessed on individual basis

Application Method: Rolling basis - applications can be submitted at any time in writing

Priority Areas

Geographic Priority:

• People living in Bungay (highest priority)
• Patients of Bungay Medical Practice
• North Suffolk and South Norfolk residents

Sector Priority:

• Healthcare providers in the practice area (including Bungay Medical Practice)
• Patient transport organisations
• Medical equipment and facilities

Type of Support:

• Specific items and capital equipment (preferred)
• One-time grants for defined needs

What They Don't Fund

• Ongoing running costs (trustees reluctant, though may consider in exceptional circumstances)
• Indirect funding to other charities (e.g., sponsoring individuals' fundraising efforts)
• Services or equipment that should be provided by the NHS or Social Services
• Grants exceeding £5,000
• Repeat grants to the same recipient (generally)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (9 total):

• Professor C H Hand (Chair)
• Denise Myrtle Walker
• Emma Suzanne Beese
• Iain Reginald Huggins
• Martin Roger Bainton
• Stephen Honeywood

Governance Note: One or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity, as disclosed in their Charity Commission filings. The charity is compliant with reporting requirements and up to date with all filings.

How to Apply to Bungay Medical Centre Charitable Trust / Scott Charity

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted in writing to either:

1. Sue Herring at the Bungay Medical Centre
2. Christopher Hand at the charity's registered address

Application Requirements:

• Include as much information as possible from the application form (available on website or by request)
• Must be for health care or illness-related issues
• Clear specification of the specific need or equipment required

Decision Timeline

Applications are assessed on an individual basis by the board of trustees at trustee meetings. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Grants are subject to available funding.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Grants are usually only given once to the same recipient. Repeat applications are generally not accepted, though exceptional circumstances may be considered at trustee discretion.

Application Success Factors

For Organisations Applying:

1. Specificity is Key: The trustees explicitly prefer applications for specific items rather than ongoing costs. Applications should clearly identify the exact equipment, facility improvement, or specific need being addressed.

1. Geographic Connection: Demonstrate how your organisation serves patients in the Bungay Medical Practice area or provides healthcare/transport services to residents of Bungay, North Suffolk, and South Norfolk.

1. Healthcare Focus: Clearly articulate the health and medical benefit of your request. The charity exists for “relief in sickness” - applications must directly relate to healthcare provision or medical need.

1. NHS Gap Filling: The charity cannot provide funding for services that should be provided by the NHS or Social Services. Your application must demonstrate that this is a legitimate gap in public provision.

1. One-Time Capital Investment: Frame your request as a one-time capital need rather than ongoing operational support. The trustees are reluctant to fund running costs.

1. Complete Documentation: Include as much detail as possible in your application. Comprehensive applications allow trustees to make informed decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Maximum £5,000 per grant - ensure your project can be meaningfully supported within this limit or can be broken into discrete components
• One grant only - this will likely be your only opportunity to secure funding from this trust, so make it count
• Capital over revenue - focus on specific equipment, vehicles, or facility improvements rather than salaries or ongoing costs
• Healthcare providers and patient transport are the primary organisational beneficiaries - ensure your service fits this profile
• Local connection is essential - you must serve patients of Bungay Medical Practice or residents of Bungay, North Suffolk, and South Norfolk
• Written applications only - no online portal; applications are handled traditionally through written correspondence
• Rolling applications - no fixed deadlines, allowing you to apply when your need arises

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• St Edmunds Trust
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• Heveningham Hall Country Fair Trust
• Colchester Catalyst Charity
• The Charles Littlewood Hill Trust
• The R C Snelling Charitable Trust
• Alfred Williams Charitable Trust
• Lilian Frances Hind Bequest (trustees Of Lady Hind)
• Suffolk Community Foundation
• Elft Charity

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: BUNGAY MEDICAL CENTRE CHARITABLE TRUST/ SCOTT CHARITY (1079173), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3960684
• Charity Commission What, Who, How, Where page for charity 1079173, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3960684/what-who-how-where
• Bungay Medical Practice website information about the Charitable Trust, https://www.bungaymedicalpractice.co.uk/practice-information/the-bungay-medical-centre-charitable-trust/ (Referenced in search results, November 2025)
• Financial information from Charity Commission records: Year ending 31 March 2024, Total income: £441,849, Total expenditure: £1,533,945